A place to get your hands dirty

STOCKBRIDGE Botanical garden programs

Berkshire Botanical Garden presents:

• Tuesdays, March 14 to April 18, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. “Landscape Design I.” This course, presented by Tyler Horsley, will introduce students to the systematic way designers approach a site and client. The course will include a series of simple projects that will end with a garden designed by the students. Learn design principles such as form, balance, repetition, line, texture, color, and spatial relationships. Additionally, students will be introduced to landscape history and how it helps the designer resolve and inspire garden design. Cost is $250 members, $275 nonmem- bers.;

• Wednesdays, March 15 to 29, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. “Container Garden Design.” Acquire knowledge of the skills required for beautiful and successful container gardens with Jenna O’Brien, owner of Viridissima Horticulture and Design. Get to know the plants that thrive in containers and how to care for them. This class will cover practical aspects of gardening

JUST LIKE WOODworking and cooking, gardening requires a well-organized, dedicated workspace. The same way a great meal starts with a clean, well-appointed kitchen, or a piece of fine furniture depends on a quality workbench, a successful garden requires a place where you can get your hands dirty. That’s where this do-it-yourself potting bench project comes in.

The project features a big worktop with a hutch above for tools, seeds and small pots. Underneath, shelves and a large compartment hold bulkier items like bags of potting soil, fertilizer or even a covered compost container. Made from redwood (as pictured), cedar or pine, the bench can be built in just a couple of weekends.

Simple enough for most do-it-yourselfers — even if you’re more gardener than woodworker—the project features all straight cuts and full-size patterns for the joinery. Construction is simple. Just cut the pieces to length, sand and assemble using glue, nails and screws. Apply finish of choice and head for the nursery.

The potting bench measures about 51 inches long by 24 inches deep by 65 inches tall.

The Potting Bench plan, No. 910, is $9.95 and includes step-by-step directions with photos, full-size traceable patterns and a shopping list and cutting schedule. Please include $3.95 for postage and handling and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Republican, 741B Olive Ave., Vista CA 92083.

To order by credit card, visit U-Bild on the web at u-bild. com.

TERRY AND KIM KOVEL | ANTIQUES & COLLECTING